The Germany international has spent much of his debut season at Emirates Stadium operating in a wide post, with Olivier Giroud considered to be the Gunners' first-choice frontman.

Giroud is, however, currently serving a suspension - forcing Wenger to shuffle his pack.

There are plenty of contenders to lead the line - including Theo Walcott - but Podolski was moved down the middle for a 1-1 draw with Manchester United and will be given another opportunity to prove his worth during a trip to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Wenger said: "I believe it is his best position, maybe because on the flanks he needs to work so hard and he's more a finisher than anyone else in the team. Lukas and Theo are two finishers.

"He was a little bit rusty against Manchester United because he had not played a lot. But, of course, it's a good opportunity for him to show that he has a future in this position and that he can finish.

"Honestly, I played him against Sunderland in the first game in this position, against Manchester United in this position, so it's not two ideal games. The first game of the season and against Man United - but I am tempted to give him another chance in this position.

"He wants to play through the middle, but today all the players who play on the flanks want to play there.

"It is only his first season. I think as well, he had the European Championship. You know, he came back without a real rest, and that changed his first season.

"Overall, if you look at his numbers, he had quite a good season, but not through the middle, on the flanks. But I'm convinced through the middle he can have a great goal-scoring record."

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t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.